Getting Ready for Baby

Since we found out that we'll only have a few weeks after getting the call till we can pick up our child, we've been in serious baby preparation mode. We've been working on a few house projects getting our new room (we'll be moving into the guest bedroom that adjoins to the baby room) ready, as well as the baby room and the bathroom that connects the two rooms. We've added shelves, re-grouted tiles, replaced parts of the wood floor and old wall panels. We installed a hand bidet (which will double as a diaper sprayer). Once these projects are done we'll move into our new room and will be able to get the baby room all set up with the crib/toddler bed we bought. Then we'll get the shelves organized and filled with what we have for a child of unknown age, size, and gender. So what does one buy for such an unknown child? Things like clothes can not be bought yet but there are plenty of other things we've been able to prepare. This has served as a welcome distraction during our waiting.

On our recent trip the US, we were able to bring back LOTS of baby stuff that I either ordered, shopped for, or was given by grandparents, aunts & uncles. I can't remember being so excited about stuff before!

Andrey doesn't get this but when I buy something new I love to show him what I got. Since you are all so far away (you, being all the ladies in my life that would actually be interested in this), I will do a little show and tell here. And perhaps it will serve as a list to other adopted parents of things they can prepare prior to know the exact age/gender of their child.

Diapers

I've decided to try out two systems. Pocket diapers and prefolds with covers.

• 14 one-size pocket diapers, Babyland brand. They came with 28 inserts.

• A dozen cotton prefolds - size medium
  

• Two Thirsties diaper covers - size medium (for 15-30 pounds, which should cover an average baby from 6 months to 2 years)

• Two Bummis Super Whisper Wraps - size medium

• I also got a couple of nylon pull on pants (super cheap) that I figured were worth a try. I read some use them as extra protection for over night.
  

• I also bought this adorable little swim diaper. I bought a baby blue long-sleeved swim top (also called a rash guard) to go with it. It only came in a size for age 1 but I couldn't pass it up. If it's too small for our child, we'll give it to our adorable niece Annika.
  

Diaper accessories

• Diaper pail liner - Planet Wise. I got two so I have another to use while the one is in the wash with the dirty diapers.
  

• Dirty diaper bags - for travel
  

Natural Baby Co. - holds 2-3 diapers, great for short day trips

Planet Wise wet/dry bag - holds ~20 diapers, for overnight trips

• Snappi diaper fasteners - for the prefolds
  

• Bummis Bio-Soft flushable liners - biodegradable inserts for use inside diapers so solids are easily flushed away. I have a few friends who really like using these.
  

• Cloth baby wipes - My Aunt and my Mom made me dozens of cloth wipes. The photo here is what my Aunt made - all from leftover fabric she had lying around. With what my mom made (she made me some wipes out of soft sherpa fabric, which is so soft!), I think we are covered as far as wipes and washcloths go. They also stocked us up on some very cute burp rags. Thanks Mom and Jan!

• Diaper bag - Skip Hop Deluxe Duo. I asked Andrey if this print was neutral enough for him to not mind carrying. He agreed at the time but I now wonder if it is neutral enough. Too late now. I just love this print and it will go with everything and will double as a purse as well.
  

Toiletries

• Diaper rash cream, body wash/shampoo, baby wipe spray and some supplies to make my own (witch hazel, tea tree oil, lavender...), spray-on sunblock for kids, nail clippers

Medicine

• Last year I stocked up on a few herbal remedies for kids. Cough syrup, boo boo spray, immune support. These are things I can't just run out for when I have a sick kid. Of course we have pharmacies here with plenty of allopathic remedies but I'd like to do what I can with herbs first before I resort to pharmaceuticals.
  

Crib Bedding

• My brothers and sisters-in-law in Florida gave us two organic cotton fitted crib sheets in light brown and beige and a waterproof crib mattress cover, which I love. (Thank you Paul, Laura, Luke & Tonya!!)
  
• I bought a few light-weight receiving blankets in these prints
  

Feeding Supplies

• Sets of BPA-free plastic plates, bowls, travel containers for snacks, and a sippy cup with handles
  
• Kleen Kanteen water sippy (They come in different colors but I got stainless to match my adult version water bottle that I use everyday. So silly but I don't care. I love things that match.)
  

Baby Carriers

• Moby Wrap: My mother-in-law bought this for me about 4 years ago. Thanks, Mom! I can't wait to put your second grandchild in it! Although it does look a little warm - maybe I can use it when we go to Canada :-)
  

• Ergot Baby Carrier - Dear friends Colleen and Taj (Thanks ladies!!) pitched in to help me buy this carrier. I've had so many friends tell me how much they love theirs. I got one in chocolate brown.
  

Books: Thanks to our gracious parents, aunts, uncles and cousins, we have LOTS of children's books. I love the stock we are creating. Will need to get a book shelf for them. I'm going to start looking for some adoption-related story books, too. I've heard of some great ones out there. Thank you Moms, Mike, Lisa, Kit, Allen, Brenda, Wayne, Mairin, Alex, Graham, Joel & Katya!

We also have been given by our parents, Andrey's grandmother and cousins an assortment of knitted blankets, quilts (Andrey's mom made us a gorgeous quilt big enough for a double bed - amazing!), and hand-crocheted/knitted stuffed animals. Thank you Katya. Thank you Grandma. Thank you, Mom. We are so blessed!!

Things we plan to buy after we get matched

• Stroller & Car seat - will have the first grandparents who visit bring these from the States (much cheaper!)
  
• Feeding booster - can buy here
• Baby monitor - depending on age of child, can buy here
• Pack 'n Play?
  
• Clothes (of course!) - can't wait till I can buy clothes!
  
• A few toys
  
• Safety supplies (plastic socket covers and stuff like that - not exactly sure what else we'll need)

Am I forgetting anything?

In adoption time-line news, I recently heard that the Philippines Adoption Board is extending wait times from up to 24 months to up to 30 months. I know of two other couples, who like us don't have any kids yet (childless families usually get priority over those with other children). One has been waiting 22 months without a match, the other 21. Of course we have no idea what will happen but we're thinking it will more likely be toward the end of this year. We were told a wait time of 12-24 months but other families were told 18-24 months and most recently 18-30 months. May 8 will be 17 months for us.